Madras High Court Steps In: Vetri Maaran’s Manushi Faces 37 Cuts, Judge To Watch Film Himself

The Madras High Court, in an unusual but decisive move, has ordered a private screening of Vetri Maaran’s production Manushi on August 24, to personally assess whether the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was justified in demanding as many as 37 cuts from the film.

Manushi, directed by Gopi Nainar and starring Andrea Jeremiah in the lead, has been under the CBFC’s scanner for nearly a year. The examining and revising committees of the Board had initially refused certification, claiming the film portrayed the State in a poor light and blurred distinctions between “leftist communism” and “mainstream communism.”

Later, the CBFC listed 37 scenes and dialogues it deemed objectionable, including even a simple insult like “saniyan” (idiot) and insisted they be removed before clearance.

Also, read| I Will Never Make A Movie Like ‘The Kashmir Files’: John Abraham Opens Up Ahead Of ‘Tehran’

Challenging this, Vetri Maaran, who produced the film under his Grassroot Film Company, approached the Madras High Court. His counsel argued that the Board’s blanket rejection, followed by its excessive list of cuts, was not only arbitrary but also a violation of the Cinematograph Act and established guidelines.

On Tuesday, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh heard arguments from both sides. Observing that the most direct way to decide the matter was to watch the film itself, he ordered a special screening at the auditorium of Chennai Music College (Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Salai) on August 24.

He further directed that CBFC members and Vetri Maaran be present during the screening, ensuring transparency in assessing whether the disputed portions actually warrant censorship.

Also, read| “This Is Not the Film I Committed To…”: Dhanush Slams AI-Altered Re-Release Of Raanjhanaa

The case has reignited the long-standing debate over creative freedom and the authority of the CBFC. For years, filmmakers have accused the Board of overreach, with Manushi now becoming a key flashpoint in that struggle.

Notably, this is not the first time the court has intervened. In June 2025, Justice Venkatesh had questioned the CBFC’s outright rejection of the film without specifying reasons. Following his direction, the Board reviewed the movie again and finally listed 37 objectionable portions — which the filmmaker now disputes.

Directed by Gopi Nainar, best known for Aramm (2017), Manushi is a gritty drama revolving around the custodial torture of a woman suspected of being a terrorist. The trailer, launched in April 2024 by actor Vijay Sethupathi, had already indicated the film’s politically charged narrative.